Starmer's Cabinet Shake-Up Draws Sharp Criticism as He Heads to Munich
Keir Starmer is departing for the Munich Security Conference today, seeking a brief respite from the turbulent waters of UK domestic politics. However, as he prepares for his international engagement, the prime minister continues to face significant criticism over his decision to remove cabinet secretary Chris Wormald from his position.
Unprecedented Move in Civil Service Leadership
While it is not unusual for prime ministers to seek changes at the top of the civil service to establish better working relationships, Starmer's action stands out as particularly notable. The prime minister appointed Wormald to the cabinet secretary role just over a year ago, making this ousting without historical precedent for such a recently appointed official.
Gus O'Donnell, who served as cabinet secretary for six years under prime ministers Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and David Cameron, appeared on the Today programme this morning and delivered a pointed assessment of the situation. "Where it's shabby is the fact that we've got to this place and that they have briefed anonymously against the cabinet secretary, saying it's not working," O'Donnell stated. "They've been doing this for a long time. This is a process that this government, I'm afraid, [it's] one of their biggest failings."
Special Advisers Under Fire
O'Donnell specifically blamed the prime minister's special advisers for the negative briefings against Wormald and criticised Starmer for failing to intervene. "Really good spads [special advisers] are really useful," O'Donnell explained. "I've worked with Ed Balls, Alastair Campbell, Jonathan Powell. If they're good, they understand their subject, they can make the relationship between ministers and civil servants work a lot better."
The former cabinet secretary contrasted this with what he described as problematic advisers. "Bad special advisers turn out to be second rate PR people. [They] can be disastrous. You saw in the run up to the budget; it was a complete omnishambles from a comms point of view, whatever you think about the economics of it. So that's where the prime minister must take responsibility and get a grip."
O'Donnell drew parallels with previous controversies, noting: "You've seen it right from the start with Sue Gray, briefings against her, all the rest of it. This is the fundamental problem."
Today's Political Agenda
While Starmer heads to Munich, several significant political events are scheduled across the UK:
- 10am: The high court delivers its judgment on a claim that the Home Office's decision to proscribe Palestine Action was unlawful.
- Morning: Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey conducts a visit in Scotland.
- Noon: Green Party leader Zack Polanski attends the Attitude 101 awards celebrating trailblazers in the LGBTQ+ community.
- Afternoon: Keir Starmer arrives at the Munich Security Conference.
- Afternoon: Kemi Badenoch speaks at the Welsh Conservative conference in Llandudno.
The Munich Security Conference provides Starmer with an opportunity to engage with international counterparts on global security matters, temporarily shifting focus from domestic controversies. However, the criticism surrounding his handling of civil service leadership continues to cast a shadow over his administration as he seeks to establish his government's direction both at home and abroad.
